Annette Marie Wilson (Spence)

Rev. Annette Spence-Wilson was born on Wednesday, July 14, 1937, in Chester, PA, to the late James and Mattie Spence. She was the last surviving child of eight siblings and was preceded in death by her grandson Fhatif Spence, three sisters, four brothers and a special cousin "sister", Lucille Gipson. Rev. Annette Wilson transitioned peacefully from “labor to reward” on Tuesday, November 26, 2019, at Christiana Hospital in Newark, DE and surrounded by her loving family. Rev. Wilson was educated in the Chester Public School District. She later obtained her high school diploma with high honors from James Groves Adult High School and studied Social Science at Delaware Technical Community College, both in Wilmington DE. While education was important to Rev. Wilson, her passion in life was serving the Lord, so at an early age, she began her Christian journey at Murphy African Methodist Episcopal Church in Chester, PA. In the early 1980’s, Rev. Wilson became an ordained evangelist under the tutelage of the African Methodist Episcopal Church located in Ellendale, DE. She went on to obtain an advanced degree in Theological Studies from Jamison School of Theology located in Philadelphia, PA. Additionally, she received a degree in Evangelism from the Full Gospel Bible Institute in Coatesville, PA. Rev. Wilson was an ordained minister in the African Methodist Church in the Wilmington, DE District Conference. She served as an Assistant Pastor at Mt. Hebron African Methodist Episcopal Church in Linwood, PA for approximately 15 years. Additionally,. Rev. Wilson served in the Prison Fellowship Ministries, Angel Tree Ministry and AGlow International Light House in Oxford, PA, where she was a member for many years. Rev. Wilson participated in Street Evangelism locally and traveled extensively as a missionary to many locations including Israel, Phoenix, AZ, Puerto Rico, and Seattle, Washington. Moreover, she volunteered as a child advocate for CASA in New Castle County Family Court House in Wilmington DE. These experiences had an immense impact on her biblical life. Rev. Wilson was a humanitarian always encouraging, supporting, and helping others. Her favorite saying was “If I can help someone along the way, then my living would not be in vain.” Consequently, she always gave money to the homeless, whenever she encountered them. She enjoyed weekend retreats at Sandy Cove, Blackrock and Blue Mountain, which enhanced her spiritual growth. She also regularly attended Enon Missionary Baptist Church in West Grove, PA where she was adored. Rev. Wilson enjoyed listening to gospel music and would often call into her favorite gospel station “Highway 11” to make special prayer request and gospel selections. Rev. Wilson loved praising and worshiping the Lord. Rev. Wilson was employed by Teledyne Wirz Company in Chester, PA and retired after 25 years of service. After retirement, she worked as a personal care aide, for a number of years, before focusing solely on God’s calling for her life. Rev. Wilson enjoyed traveling with her family and went on many cruises, In addition to having had a very active social life, she enjoyed dancing, reading, gardening, watching the Phillies - especially Ricky Allen, playing Bingo, spending time with her loving husband, children, grandchildren, church family, and friends. She was also known for her delicious sweet potato pies, which she so lovingly baked and she never allowed any medical challenges to interrupt her life. until her health declined. Rev. Wilson was a devoted wife and mother with a bold spirit. She leaves to cherish memories, her devoted husband, Curtis with whom she shared sixty wonderful years of marriage prior to her transition. Curtis’s affection was demonstrated everyday as he presented his loving wife with a flower from the garden they planted together. In addition to her husband, Rev. Wilson leaves to cherish her legacy, her loving children, John C, Spence (Denise), Sheila Robertson (James), Wesley Spence, Curtis Wilson (Sanae), Allan Wilson, Annette M. Wilson, Stanley Wilson (Shan); 25 grandchildren, 16 great-grandchildren, 3 sisters in-law, Maurine, Fannie and Mattie; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. “I AM AT PEACE, MY SOUL’S AT REST THERE IS NO NEED FOR TEARS FOR WITH YOUR LOVE I WAS SO BLESSED FOR ALL THOSE MANY YEARS”

Annette Marie Wilson (Spence)

July 14, 1937 - November 26, 2019